Safety connector apparatus for trailer hitches

ABSTRACT

A ball-style hitch safety connector apparatus with a spoon safety connector made, as well as alternative designs, is disclosed herein. In an embodiment a spoon element is secured on the underside of the hitch, the spoon element including a spoon- or cup-shaped portion along with a handle. This spoon element presses up on the bottom of the ball assembly, in particular the underside where the nut and bolt are located that secure the ball to in place.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/849,001, filed May 16, 2019, the content of which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to safety connectors for trailerhitches, in particular safety connectors to prevent a trailer fromdisengaging from a ball-type hitch.

BACKGROUND

Ball-type hitch assemblies are commonly used to connect a trailer to avehicle. Such hitch assemblies us a metal ball-shaped hitch on thevehicle (“the ball”), combined with a corresponding recessed receptor ontongue of the trailer. The ball is received by the receptor on thetrailer and locked into place, typically by a clamping force from alever mechanism inside the receptor on the trailer tongue. This levermechanism is engaged by moving a handle on the outside of the receptorbetween an open “up” position and a closed “down” position. The levermechanism can also typically be locked in place through a hole at itsbase, allowing a pin to be inserted to prevent unlocking of the trailer,or even a padlock to provide a degree of prevention of theft by stoppingunauthorized opening of the receptor.

Although ball-type hitch assemblies have been in use for many years andare quite useful and successful, they suffer from the problem ofpotential decoupling of the trailer if the ball and receptor do not havea proper connection. For example, during travel sometimes the levermechanism can inadvertently work its way loose, especially if no pin isinserted in the locking hole or if the pin works its way loose.Similarly, sometimes the lever mechanism is inadvertently left open,causing the ball and receptor to only loosely connect and riskingdisconnection during use, such as when a bump is run over on a road.Also, this problem can occur, for example, when the ball is undersizedrelative to the receptor. The balls and receptors come in various sizes,and sometimes a hitch receptor that is too large for the ball isimproperly used. For example, a 1 and ¾ inch ball may be improperly usedwith a 2 inch receptor. Such situations can lead to the hitch assemblynot making proper connections, and the trailer disengaging.

Thus, a need exists for an improved hitch assembly, especially one thatprevents a trailer from disconnecting when the primary ball-receptorconnection fails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure a safety connector apparatus with a spoon safetyconnector. A spoon element is secured on the underside of the hitch, thespoon element including a spoon- or cup-shaped portion along with ahandle. This spoon element presses up on the bottom of the ballassembly, in particular the underside where the nut and bolt are locatedthat secure the ball to in place. The spoon element is in turn held inplace by two pairs of fastening bars. These fastening bars and includebolts along with a series of holes and a pin with lock. In combinationthese components keep the spoon element in place on the underside of thehitch assembly. In the event that the ball becomes loose within thereceptor, the spoon element 34 will keep the trailer secured to thehitch.

Other designs include spring-loaded safety assemblies, assemblies withholes in the bottom, and assemblies with spoons held in place with twoarms.

A safety connector apparatus for a trailer hitch is disclosed, thesafety receiver comprising:

a) a base comprising a hole for receiving the threaded base of a hitchball;

b) side walls extending up from the base;

c) a plate having at least two holes; and

d) a bent rod extending through the two holes as well as over the top ofthe hitch ball; the bent locking rod being configured to move up anddown above the hitch ball and to pivot away from the hitch ball to allowfor insertion of a trailer hitch onto the ball;

wherein the bent rod can be positioned above the ball and trailer hitchand lowered into place and secured to prevent the trailer hitch fromreleasing and being removed from the ball without first releasing thebent rod.

In an embodiment, further comprising a cylinder into which an end of thebent locking rod is inserted.

In an embodiment, wherein the bent rod comprises two downward extensionsfor fitting into the holes on the plate.

In an embodiment, wherein the safety connector comprises two plates,each having at least two holes.

In an embodiment, wherein the safety connector comprises two plates,each having at least four holes.

In an embodiment, wherein the side walls are tapered down from a highpoint near the vehicle to a low point distal from the vehicle.

In an embodiment, wherein the side walls near the vehicle are tallerthan the side walls further from the vehicle, so as to allow the sidewalls near the vehicle to support the plates and bent locking rod andthe side walls distal from the vehicle are shorter to allow for freedomof movement of the trailer hitch.

In an embodiment, wherein the side walls near the vehicle are at least 2times the height of the side walls distal from the vehicle.

In an embodiment, wherein the side walls near the vehicle are at least 3times the height of the side walls distal from the vehicle.

In an embodiment, wherein the side walls near the vehicle are at least 4times the height of the side walls distal from the vehicle.

In an embodiment, wherein the plate includes holes for locking theplates together.

In an embodiment, wherein the bent rod has a v-shaped top when viewedfrom above.

In an embodiment, wherein the bent rod has a u-shaped top when viewedfrom above.

A safety connector apparatus for a trailer is disclosed, the safetyconnector comprising: a spoon element configured to be secured on theunderside of the hitch, the spoon element including a spoon shapedportion and a handle, wherein the spoon shaped portion presses up on thebottom of a ball assembly when installed, in particular the undersidewhere the nut and bolt are located that secure the ball to in place; andtwo pairs of fastening bars holding the spoon element in place.

The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describeeach discussed embodiment of the present invention. This is the purposeof the figures and the detailed description that follows.

FIGURES

The invention may be more completely understood in connection with thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a standard ball-style hitch components before connecting inaccordance with a first construction.

FIG. 2 shows standard ball-style hitch components after connecting inaccordance with a first construction.

FIG. 3 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector apparatus with a spoon safety connector made in accordancewith the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector apparatus with a spoon safety connector made in accordancewith the present disclosure, the spoon connector shown in an openconfiguration.

FIG. 5 shows a cut metal plate spoon safety connector prior to formingmade in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a cut metal plate spoon safety connector after forming madein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector with a spring-loaded safety connector made in accordance withthe present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows elements of a spring-loaded safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, shown in side view.

FIG. 9 shows elements of a spring-loaded safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, shown in top view.

FIG. 10 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector apparatus with an open-bottom safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, the safety connector installedon the hitch.

FIG. 11 shows elements of an open-bottom safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 shows elements of an open-bottom safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 shows elements of an open-bottom safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector apparatus with an alternative spoon safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, the safety connector installedon the hitch.

FIG. 15 shows elements of an alternative spoon safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows elements of an alternative spoon safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 18 shows an exploded perspective view of the safety connector ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 shows a top view of the alternative safety connector of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 shows a side view of the alternative safety connector of FIG.19.

FIG. 22 shows a partial perspective view of the alternative safetyconnector of FIG. 19

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a locking rod constructed inaccordance with the present disclosure

FIG. 26 shows a top view of the locking rod of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 shows a view of a locking rod taken from position A-A of FIG.26.

FIG. 28 shows a view of a locking rod taken from position B-B of FIG.26.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of exampleand drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the invention is not limited to the particular embodimentsdescribed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Now, in reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows standard ball-stylehitch components before connecting in accordance with a firstconstruction. The hitch components include a ball 2 joined to a hitchextension 4 on a vehicle (not shown). The ball is secured, in theembodiment shown, to the hitch extension 4 by way of a bolt 6 extendingfrom the bottom of the ball, and a nut 8 on the bolt 6. Thus, the ball 2is well secured to the vehicle. The trailer hitch 10 includes a tongue12 having a ball-receiver 14 with an open bottom area 16, along with alatching mechanism 18. In the embodiment shown the hitch 10 includes twonut and bolts 20, 22 that secure the hitch 10 to the tongue 12, althoughit will be understood that the hitch 10 can also be welded or otherwiseconnected to the tongue 12.

FIG. 2 shows standard ball-style hitch components after connecting, withthe ball now within the end the ball-receiver 14. The latch mechanism 18is shown in a down or closed position, with the interior of the hitch 10engaging the ball to hold it securely (the latch mechanism is lifted upby rotating it 90 degrees to open the space in the ball-receiver 14during installation and removal of the ball 2 from the ball-receiverwhen connecting and disconnecting the trailer from a vehicle).

As noted above, problems can arise when the ball 2 is not securely heldwithin the receiver 14, such as when the latch mechanism 18 is left inan open or “up” position. To prevent a trailer from coming off a hitchwhen the ball and receiver are not properly connected, the constructionof the FIG. 3 can be used. FIG. 3 shows ball-style hitch componentsfurther including a safety connector apparatus with a spoon safetyconnector made in accordance with the present disclosure. In FIG. 3 aspoon element 34 is secured on the underside of the hitch, the spoonelement 34 including a spoon- or cup-shaped portion 30 along with ahandle 32. This spoon element 34 presses up on the bottom of the ballassembly, in particular the underside where the nut and bolt are locatedthat secure the ball to in place. The spoon element is in turn held inplace by two pairs of fastening bars 36 and 38. These fastening bars 36and 38 include bolts 50 52, 56, along with a series of holes 40 and apin 42 with lock 44. In combination these components keep the spoonelement 34 in place on the underside of the hitch assembly. In the eventthat the ball becomes loose within the receptor, the spoon element 34will keep the trailer secured to the hitch.

Now, in reference to FIG. 4, the ball-style hitch components are shownwith the spoon element 34 shown in an open configuration. Here thefastening bar 38 has been released at the top by removing a pin 44 fromthe hole 40 that had secured it to the top of the hitch assembly.Removing of the pin from the hole allow the spoon element 34 to swingfree underneath the trailer tongue, allowing the trailer to be mountedon or off the ball of a vehicle, after which the spoon element 34 can beraised back into position (if the trailer is now being attached), withthe pin 44 reinserted into one of the holes 40 at the top of thefastening bar 38. Note that the fastening bar 38 has multiple holes 40to allow for installation on various hitch constructions and balls withdifferent lengths for the bolt securing the ball to the vehicle.

FIG. 5 shows a cut metal plate spoon safety element 34 prior to formingmade in accordance with the present disclosure, including the spoonportion 30 and four tabs with holes 60, 62, 64 and 66. These tabs withholes are then bent into shape to form the final spoon element 34. FIG.6 shows a cut metal plate spoon safety connector after forming made inaccordance with the present disclosure, with spoon portion 34 (typicallystamped to form a cup-shaped portion), tabs 64, 66; and handle 34.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative construction of ball-style hitch componentsfurther including a safety connector with a spring-loaded safety elementmade in accordance with the present disclosure. In this construction asafety element is positioned underneath the hitch, includes a cup-shapedend 130 joined to a bent handle 132 that is positioned within aspring-loaded track 150. The end 130 is able to move back and forwardfor installation of the trailer by pushing the end of the handle 132, inparticular, an elongated portion 158 (only shown in partial view) intoand out of the spring-loaded track 150. Generally the assembly spring isbiased so that the default position is a forward one in which thecub-shaped end is extended (so as to be positioned underneath the ball).

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the spring-loaded safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure. The end 130 and handle 132 areshown, along with elongate portion 158 that extends into the track 150.The end 130 can be open, like a shovel, to slide under the nut and bolton the ball. FIG. 9 shows elements of the spring-loaded safety connectormade in accordance with the present disclosure from the top. The end 130is shown, along with elongate portion 158 that extends into the track150.

FIG. 10 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector apparatus with an open-bottom safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, the safety connector installedon the hitch. In this design a pan 230 with a hole in it slides underthe hitch and secures the bottom of the ball (the nut and bolt, inparticular). In some cases the nut and bolt fit through an opening inthe pan 130. The pan 230 is held in place under the tongue of thetrailer with a slot and rail system, in particular a pair of slots 238that travel along a rail 236 that extends above the hitch. The rail 238has a plurality of holes in it through which pins can be placed to holdthe pan 230 in place. This construction is more thoroughly understood byreview of FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, showing the pan 230 with a hole in itsinterior, along with the slots 238 and the rail 236.

FIG. 14 shows ball-style hitch components further including a safetyconnector apparatus with an alternative spoon safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, the safety connector installedon the hitch. A spoon 330 is held in place by two arms 332. FIG. 15shows elements of an alternative spoon safety connector made inaccordance with the present disclosure, with spoon 330, arms 332, andpin hole 334. FIG. 16 shows the elements of FIG. 15 prior to beingformed. In use the spoon 330 is held underneath the ball 4 and held inplace by a pin secured between the two arms (see FIG. 14).

FIGS. 17 and 18 show an alternative design for securing a hitch 400 ontoa ball, with bent rod 410 that secures the top of the trailer hitchreceiver (not shown). The locking rod 410 can be, for example, hexagonalin cross section, and include two down sections 412 connected by anupper portion 414. The down sections 412 include holes 450 into whichpins 440 can be inserted. The down sections fit through one or moreplates with receiver holes. Plates 460 and 465 are shown in the exampleembodiment, and also extend down through cylinders 430 in the depictedembodiment. The plates include, for example, holes 420 and 462. Thelarger hole 462 is only in plate 465 and provides a receiving locationfor cylinder 430. Also, the device includes a bottom plate 470 with hole472 (for the ball to be secured through), the tongue receiver 470including side walls 480.

In use the locking rod 410 can be raised and lowered, as well as pivotout of the way, to install a hitch into a ball. Thereafter the lockingrod 410 is lowered onto the ball and locked into place using pins 440.Multiple holes 450 are typically present to allow for a variety of setheights for the rod 410. The design allows for the bottom plate 470 tobe installed over the hitch bar 490 and be held in place by the nutholding the ball 2 in place on the underside of the hitch bar 490. Assuch, even if the bolt falls off the device will be kept in placebecause the rod 410 is drawn down over the ball and held in placebetween the rod 410 and the bottom plate 470 by way of the rod 410.

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure, and FIGS. 20 to 22 showadditional views of that safety connector. The safety connector includesa base portion 1980 that secures to a hitch adapter 1994, the hitchadapter 1994 that has holes 1996 for locking to a vehicle and holes 1998for securing and controlling height of the base portion 1980. The safetyconnector includes a locking rod 1910 that secures the top of thetrailer hitch receiver (not shown). The locking rod 1910 can be, forexample, rectangular in cross section, and include two down sections1912 connected by an upper portion 1914 that is designed tosubstantially be centered over the ball (not shown). Down sections 1912fit into receivers 1930, and include holes 1950 into which pins can beinserted to hold the locking rod in place (and thereby hold the trailerin place on the ball). Receiver slots 2205 (see FIG. 22) in thereceivers 1930 receive the down sections 1912 of the locking rod 1910.In use the locking rod 1910 can be raised and lowered to install a hitchinto a ball. Thereafter the locking rod 1910 is lowered onto the ball(not shown) and locked into place using pins. Multiple holes 1950 aretypically present to allow for a variety of set heights for the rod1910. The ball is secured to platform 1990 by locking it through hole1972. Hole 1972 can be designed with an elongate opening to adjustposition of the ball underneath the locking rod 1910. FIG. 20 shows atop view of the alternative safety connector of FIG. 19; and FIG. 21shows a side view of the alternative safety connector of FIG. 19, andshows a hole 1993 for placing a pin into hole 1998 of hitch adapter1994. FIG. 22 shows a partial perspective view of the alternative safetyconnector of FIG. 19, showing the connector removed from hitch adapter1994, with opening 2207 in base portion 1980 depicted.

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure, this design having a unitaryconstruction compared to the embodiment of FIGS. 19 to 22.

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of an alternative safety connector madein accordance with the present disclosure, having a retrofit design forexisting hitch assemblies.

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of a locking rod constructed inaccordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 26 shows a top view of thelocking rod of FIG. 25. FIG. 27 shows a view of a locking rod taken fromposition A-A of FIG. 26. FIG. 28 shows a view of a locking rod takenfrom position B-B of FIG. 26. The units are in inches. Generallydistances can be 5 percent greater or lesser than the units shown,optionally 10 percent greater or lesser than the units shown, optionally25 percent greater or lesser than the units shown.

While the present invention has been described with reference to severalparticular implementations, those skilled in the art will recognize thatmany changes may be made hereto without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A safety connector apparatus for a trailer hitch, thesafety connector comprising: a) a base comprising a hole for receivingthe threaded base of a hitch ball and side walls; b) a locking rodextending through the hole as well as over the top of the hitch ball;the locking rod being configured to move up and down above the hitchball and to pivot away from the hitch ball to allow for insertion of atrailer hitch onto the ball; wherein the locking rod can be positionedabove the ball and trailer hitch and lowered into place and secured toprevent the trailer hitch from releasing and being removed from the ballwithout first releasing the locking rod; and wherein the side walls nearthe vehicle are taller than the side walls further from the vehicle, soas to allow the side walls near the vehicle to support the locking rodand the side walls distal from the vehicle are shorter to allow forfreedom of movement of the trailer hitch.
 2. The safety connector ofclaim 1, further comprising a cylinder into which an end of the lockingrod is inserted.
 3. The safety connector of claim 1, wherein the lockingbent rod comprises two downward extensions.
 4. The safety connector ofclaim 1, wherein the safety connector comprises two plates, each havingat least four holes.
 5. The safety connector of claim 1, wherein theside walls are tapered down from a high point near the vehicle to a lowpoint distal from the vehicle.
 6. The safety connector of claim 1,wherein the side walls near the vehicle are at least 2 times the heightof the side walls distal from the vehicle.
 7. The safety connector ofclaim 6 wherein the side walls near the vehicle are at least 3 times theheight of the side walls distal from the vehicle.
 8. The safetyconnector of claim 6, wherein the side walls near the vehicle are atleast 4 times the height of the side walls distal from the vehicle. 9.The safety connector of claim 1, wherein the locking rod has a v-shapedtop when viewed from above.
 10. The safety connector of claim 1, whereinthe locking rod has a u-shaped top when viewed from above.